Tag: netanyahu

The Speech I wish Bibi had given

Posted on by Keith Dvorchik

On September 24, 2026, Bibi Netanyahu gave an approximately 40-minute speech at the UN General Assembly. More than 100 people in attendance from over 50 countries walked out as he began to speak. Of course, they then all went to watch him on TV to see what he was going to say. Bibi called them out from the dais, saying they were “moral cowards.” For me, it was the highlight of the speech. He took the fight directly to them instead of continuing the failed Israeli and diaspora effort to play defense and explain everything. We know they don’t care, don’t want to care, and won’t listen.

This was the opportunity for Bibi to play offense. To take the fight to those who lie about Israel. To those who empower Jew hatred. To those who are supporting the terrorists: Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran. He had the stage, and even those who walked out were watching on TV. He had the world’s attention and could have come out swinging. Instead, he continued to play defense, to continue playing the Jew hatred game.

In a different world, I wish Bibi had started by showing the Hamas 47-minute video from October 7th behind him. Let it run with subtitles and no sound during his entire speech. Then challenge those who walk out to stay and watch what they defend. It would have set the tone and tenor for a fiery speech where Bibi took the fight to the world instead of trying to defend Israel against the lies.

A man in a navy suit and red tie stands at a podium, gesturing with his hands while speaking at the United Nations assembly.

As the video ran behind him, he would have started with Genocide, pointing out briefly and succinctly that 3% of the Gazan population was killed in the war. That is not gencoide. Hamas themselves admitted 50,000 of the 70,000 killed were Hamas soldiers when they gave the widows military benefits. That the UN acceptable civilian to combatant ratio is 9:1 and Israel is well below that – somewhere between 1:1 and 2:1. He would have simply stated that anybody claiming Genocide is a liar and Jew hater and the facts support it. Done. Nothing more and no long explanation. No bringing in the Holocaust or other real genocides that are occuring that the world doesn’t care about because there are no Jews involved.

Then he would have gone into how horrible war is and how Israel never wants war but sometimes it is necesary. The destruction in Gaza is awful but was also required to demolish the terror tunnels Hamas built underneath them. There was no way to get to them without destroying what is on top. Hold Hamas responsible. He would have talked about the Board of Peace plan to rebuild Gaza and how as soon as Hamas surrendered their weapons the rebuilding would occur. He doesn’t need to say anything about Israel wanting or not wanting to take back Gaza as a part of Israel. He references the Board of Peace plan, endorses it as soon as Hamas is demilitarized and surrenders their weapons. The delay in reconstructing Gaza is due to Hamas failing to surrender their weapons.

The next part would be tricky because he would have to actually mean it and do something. He would address the settler violence (I call it terrorism but am not asking him to do that). He would state clearly that criminals exist in every country in the world—people who break the law. He could highlight Israel as a democracy and clearly state that these people are breaking the law and will be held accountable for what they do. They will be arrested. They will be prosecuted. They will face real consequences for their actions. However, he can’t say this unless he is going to actually do it. It would make Smotrich and Ben-Gvir angry, as they have been clear with their agenda and allowing this to occur to help them achieve their goal of annexing the West Bank and making Judea and Samaria part of Israel again. By taking an aggressive position that these are criminals and will be treated as such, Bibi could take the wind out of those who want to label this the new version of ‘genocide.’ Of course, this also means he has to do what he says, and with the election a month away, it’s unlikely he can do this and remain in power. He could begin to restore his legacy and do what is best for Israel, the Israeli people, and Jews in the diaspora. For him to say this, he would need to risk losing power to do what is right and what is best for Am Yisrael (the people of Israel/the Jews).

Since this is what I wish he had said, I am taking the liberty to include things that I know he never would actually say. The upcoming Israeli election will be the 10th one since the last election held for the leadership of the Palestinian Authority. Mahmoud Abbas, Abu Mazen, is now in his 21st year of a 5 year term. How can you have peace with somebody like that? Addressing the UN, this is a time to call them out for their complicity in continuing to fund a government like this. To call them hypocrites. In his video address, Abbas both called in a genocidal war and that they needed a 2-state solution. Bibi could have taken the 2-state solution off the current table and placed it on a future table by address the issues with the PA. How the UN and Europe reward them for their ‘pay for slay’ policy and how their continued funding makes them complicit in every murder the terrorists commit. Complaining about the UN bias in their resolutions is tired and ineffective. Naming them as complicit in murders, specifically calling them terrorists as their employees took and housed hostages in Gaza. Naming Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories as UNRWA’s terrorist leader would be a powerful offensive move against the UN and the Jew haters.

Bibi could have listed the countries that walked out and that depend on Israel to defend them. He could have easily pointed out the hypocrisy of their actions and reality. He could have called out the U.K. and their boycott of products made in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) to help the Palestinian people. The last time they did this, SodaStream moved their factory into Israel proper. Who lost as a result? The Palestinian workers who lost their jobs and their above-average wages. Nobody cared to ask them if they wanted the factory moved because when they were asked, they said no. They stated it was a great company to work for that took care of them, paid them very well, and gave them paid time each day to go pray in a special prayer room created for them. Once again, the effort to ‘help’ the Palestinians will harm them. He could have told the world that if you really want to help them, demilitarize Hamas, defeat Hezbollah, topple the Iranian regime, and ensure regular and free elections for their leadership. Bibi could have laid a pathway and given hope that a 2-state solution COULD happen at SOME time in the FUTURE. And what needs to happen before anything would be possible without calling them ‘preconditions’.

Finally, Bibi could have addressed all the countries that are a part of the UN and what they are not doing to protect their Jewish citizens. He could have gone on the offensive, naming Canada, France, the UK, Spain, among others. He could have cited the rise of Jew hatred (intentionally not using the word antisemitism). He could have cited examples in each country and how they continue to enable acts of violence and hatred against their Jewish citizens. Hopes and prayers are not acceptable when you are part of creating what happens. He should have challenged them to do better and held them accountable for violating their ‘Western liberal values’ when it comes to their Jewish citizens.

Imagine this fiery speech, taking it to the UN and their member countries. All while the 47-minute Hamas video from October 7th played behind him, forcing them to see the brutality of Hamas. Forcing the truth to be seen. Not just by the UN and its member countries but the world. There is a reality in which Israel has no need to explain herself. It is clear the world doesn’t listen and doesn’t want to listen. It is time to play offense. We know that when the Arab countries come under attack, it is Israel they turn to for help. It won’t be too much longer until it is Europe that is under attack. Who will they turn to? Russia? China? The United States? None will do what is needed. No more apologizing. No more playing defense. The author Robert Crais writes a character named Joe Pike who has red forward arrow tattoos on both arms, reminding him that it’s about moving forward, attacking, not playing defense. It’s time for Israel to do the same on the world stage.

Close-up of a muscular arm with a red arrow sticker pointing to the upper arm.
The Joe Pike tattoo

In another world, Bibi gave that blistering speech with the Hamas 47-minute video playing behind him. In that world, Israel took the offensive and put the world on notice. I wish I lived in that world.

Speaking out against Jew hatred

Posted on by Keith Dvorchik

A college friend forwarded me this post on LinkedIn by a friend of hers from childhood. In her own words, “I grew up w Joel. He is the best in his profession. He composes music for ads & commercials. He wrote the music for 7 commercials that ran during this years Super Bowl. He is a giant in the industry.” When I read his post I was horrified and inspired. I was angry and I was proud. I could relate. It’s personal. For all of us.

Last year, I was honored to be named Jury President for Music & Sound Craft at the 2025 The One Club for Creativity. I’ve supported The One Club for decades as a sponsor, advocate, judge, and multi-award winner. JSM has earned dozens of One Show Pencils and topped the One Show Global Creative Rankings both globally and domestically.

Shortly after accepting, I received an email from the CEO and Board stating that my personal social media posts unapologetically condemning antisemitism and supporting the Jewish people were “too much” and “triggering” to some at the Club. They said such posts would not be “tolerated.” They objected specifically to my use of the word eradicate when describing what I hoped would happen to the terrorists of October 7. They didn’t like my post celebrating the IDF’s elimination of Sinwar, the architect of 10/7, who raped, mutilated, burned babies, and held hostages. My expression of joy in his demise, they said, was also “too much.”

I refused to accommodate and resigned.

They knew my nephew serves in the IDF. This isn’t theoretical. It’s personal. My values, my family, my identity, my people were under attack. Again.

In a follow-up call, TOCC leadership asked what they could do to keep me. I requested one simple thing: a specific, standalone statement condemning antisemitism—like they’ve done for BLM, LGBTQ+, AAPI, Ukraine, and others. Instead, they sent a vague, diluted message grouping antisemitism with racism, xenophobia, homophobia, Islamophobia, etc., scheduled to run on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

I told them how tone-deaf and offensive that was. They refused to revise it. And then… said nothing. Complete silence. No statement at all. No support for Jewish creatives in our industry. No condemnation of antisemitism.

I also pointed out that only 1 of 42 board members is Jewish, despite generations of Jewish creatives who helped shape this industry. I can name at least 100 deserving Jewish creative leaders off the top of my head. That silence and lack of representation speaks volumes.

I formally cut all ties. I won’t support any organization, especially in my industry, that refuses to condemn antisemitism. This was a choice. And a refusal.

Many urged me to stay quiet. That going public might hurt the business I’ve built over 35 years.

I can’t.

I will not be silenced. Not now. Not ever. And certainly not by an ad awards show that acts as moral authority on every issue and condemns all forms of hate, except Jewish hate by consciously and purposely remaining silent while Jews are hunted, threatened, and murdered. Again.

I was a Jew before JSM. I’ll be a Jew after JSM.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Joel isn’t the only one who faces this type of Jew hatred, discrimination, and expectation to just accept it. It happens to most of us every day and we don’t even see it or realize it. Some of us even think it’s acceptable because we have ‘privilege’. We cannot stay quiet in the face of this hatred. We cannot stick our heads in the sand and hope that it will just go away or leave us alone. History has shown us that it never does. It comes for us all in the end. We must fight back. We must stand up and speak out. Staying quiet isn’t an option. Joel isn’t. Neither should any of us.

Britain suspended free trade talks with Israel and the EU said it will review whether Israel is violating the human rights clause of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. France, the U.K. and Canada threatened  sanctions against Israel. All because Israel refuses to let Hamas, a terrorist organization still holding Israeli hostages, stay in power to murder, rape, and kidnap more Israelis. They think we are the same Jews of the past who meekly hid and accepted our fate. They are 100% wrong. Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke up powerfully about this today.

“The world is telling us to end the war,” Netanyahu said, in the first press conference he has held in Israel since December. “I am prepared to end the war according to clear conditions: Hamas lays down its weapons, steps down from power, returns all the hostages, Gaza is demilitarized and we implement the Trump plan” to relocate residents of Gaza. Whoever is calling for us to end the war is calling for Hamas to stay in power,”

Love him or hate him, Bibi won’t just accept our fate as Jews to be that of victims. Neither should we. Joel showed us how to stand up and speak out. Bibi showed us how to do it. The question is, what will you do? Will you be like Joel and stand up and speak out despite the personal risk? Will you stand up to Jew hatred in the face of your ‘friends’ like Bibi is doing to the UK, France, Canada, and the EU or will you fold because they are your ‘friends’?

The choice is yours. Take the risk now or wait for the inevitable that has happened over and over again for thousands of years? I know what I am doing. I’m going to stand up and speak out. I’m going to fight Jew hatred publicly, no matter the personal cost.

Goodbye UNRWA and Good Riddance

Posted on by Keith Dvorchik

Yesterday, January 30, 2025 marked the end of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Many in the world are criticizing this action, claiming that only UNRWA can provide the aid and take care of the needs of the Palestinians. Those who do that have chosen to believe the lies and ignore the truth about UNRWA.

Every refugee in the world is covered by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Every single one. Except for the Palestinians, who get their own agency despite not really being refugees. Gaza has been fully governed by the Palestinians, who elected Hamas as their leaders, since 2005. In Judea and Samaria, the Palestinian Authority fully governs Area A. They are in charge of the civil society in Area B. Yet they have to have their own refugee organization while the entire rest of the world gets their own?

UNRWA has been exposed for many human rights violations. Employees of UNRWA have been confirmed to be Hamas operatives. Employees of UNRWA have been proved to be active participants in the attack on October 7th. Employees of UNRWA have been proved to have hidden hostages in their private homes. UNRWA has failed to deliver the humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza. It isn’t that the food isn’t being sent to Gaza. UNRWA has left it on the docks to rot. UNRWA has given the food to Hamas and the local gangs who sell it on the black market. I have seen the pictures of the food on the docks, rotting. I have seen the pictures of Hamas taking the food from the relief trucks.

When I saw the post above, I was livid. UNRWA held her in captivity AND denied her medical care. This is the organization that is supposed to help people. This is a part of the United Nations (UN). If there was ever something that showed just how disgusting and vile UNRWA and the UN are, this is it. Yet the world is silent. You won’t see this information on the national news, read it in the NY Times or Washington Post. The ICC won’t be issuing arrest warrants for the leaders of UNRWA or the UN. They should, but they won’t.

When Arbel Yehoud was released from captivity on Thursday, she had to go through a crowd in Gaza of people shouting at her. She was surrounded by terrorists in uniform. The look on her face is terrifying. They are wearing pressed uniforms, the crowd looks well fed, which in a famine shouldn’t happen. These are the people Israel is supposed to trust and make peace with? Israel should trust the UN after learning that they held Emily Damari as a hostage since October 7th? That their employees are Hamas and Hezbollah members?

Hamas and people of Gaza as Arbel Yehoud is released

I’m grateful that UNRWA is no longer operating in Gaza, Israel, or Judea and Samaria. Why should Israel enable terrorists (and UNRWA is a terrorist organization) to operate freely? The world is an outrage over this but not that Emily was held hostage by UNRWA. The hypocrisy is beyond aggravating.

Along with the good news of no more UNRWA, there is also this heartwarming video of Agam Berger being reunited with her four fellow Nahal Oz comarades who were release last Saturday from captivity. The look on the faces of Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag as they see Agam, the sound of their voices, their hugs and compassion tears at my soul. What these women endured is unimaginable. Like the Jewish people at large, they endured, they survived, and they will flourish. It won’t be easy.

Hostages returning home. Three more scheduled to be release tommorow. We know Yarden Bibas is alive and hopefully we will get good news soon about Shiri Bibas and their beautiful children, Ariel and Kfir. We know 8 of the 33 being returned will not be alive. We can only hope and pray that most of the remaining 82 hostages are still alive. We do know that they must all come home.

With President Trump meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington, we can only hope that this administration stands strongly with Israel and enables her to do what is needed to both get the remaining hostages back and ensure her long term security. Since October 7th, those have been the two clear priorities. Whatever it takes, both must happen.